Personalized Kid's Place Settings!

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Ok, so I may not be able to create something beautiful out of my kid's food (see earlier post) but I certainly can "place" it on something fabulous! Check out this new line from Clairebella. There are colors and patterns for every kid and every hobby!

I don't know about you, but when I get invited to a kid's party or a baby shower, I am always at a loss at what to bring...I want to bring something unique and something I put some thought into...not just check off an item from a registry.

What little girl wouldn't love to clear their plate and see a little pink princess crown or a monkey with a pink bow in her hair?

How about the little boy that has everything? Maybe he loves tennis, or soccer or baseball? Personalize his plate with his name and an image from his favorite sport or his favorite animal, like a dinosaur? The possibilities are endless...almost.

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S'well Bottles- Cool Looking, Functional and Socially Conscientious

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We just brought in the coolest water bottle around (and we know water bottles) by S'well. Founder Sarah Kauss was on a hike one day in the desert and was miserable because she was drinking luke warm water out of a reusable bottle and wondered "why isn't there a bottle that can keep my water cold? And keep my coffee hot? And why can't this bottle be elegant and beautiful, at home in the board room or hiking a trail?" And there, in that hot and uncomfortable moment, the idea for the S'well water bottle was born! And let us tell you, this is not just any water bottle! Its special technology keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours. It doesn't "sweat" on your hands, bag or papers. It fits in a car holder, stroller cup and its mouth is big enough for ice cubes. It's made of high quality stainless steal so there is no plastic lining and no after taste. No, it won't do your laundry, but it is one cool looking water bottle that you will love to have and to give! The 17 oz version comes in 7 really cool colors and there is a 25 oz size that is perfect for wine for a little dinner al fresco! Even better, they donate 10% to WaterAid that helps provide clean and safe drinking water for some of the poorest countries throughout the world!

Offered in black, blue, green, pink, red, gold and silver so there are plenty of choices for your thirsty self or friends! Need a gift for that someone who really has everything? Done.
We consume way to much plastic in this country which does not biodegrade, ends up in our oceans and uses a ton of oil to be produced. So quit your plastic water bottle habit now! Give this a try. They are amazing!
And here's a fun video to watch about plastic.

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My Fave Beauty Buys

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I'm a beauty junkie. I love nothing more than to try new skincare and hair products. My bathroom shelves are constantly full of leave-in conditioners, scrubs, masks, and lotions. While I'm all about finding and testing out new products, there are those that I have fallen for. Here are a few of my favorite things. These beauty buys may not be under $10 like the ones featured here in Jamie's recent post on Troc Talk, but they are well worth the splurge!




Red Flower Body Lotion

These botanical based lotions are truly an experience. There is something so enveloping about the silkiness of the natural flower scents. It's like rubbing flower petals all over your body, and what's better than that? My favorites are Spanish Gardenia and Icelandic Moonflower.




Bioelements Measured Micrograins


This scrub (also doubles as a mask) is probably the best purchase I've made in a while. It was recommended to me by my Esthetician at Fringes Salon and Spa- Old Market. It's great to keep your skin clean and refreshed between Microdermabrasion treatments (another skincare MUST!) and just from day to day as well. I swear every time I use it it's like unveiling a new layer of fresh, soft skin.




Paul Labrecque Haircare

Alice swears by Paul's mud mask conditioner, and so do I! Unfortunately, I didn't discover how great the Paul Labrecque line was until after we stopped carrying it at The Troc. His color condition mud mask is to hair what water is to a wanderer in the desert. Now, I know that I don't have much hair, but the hair that I do have was softer and smoother than it has ever been after using this conditioner. The inviting and delicious aroma of the conditioner is only the icing on the cake. That combined with the repair style hydrating hair lotion is easily the best thing you can do for your hair.

L'occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil


You had me at the word "supple"! This oil firms, softens, and smells fantastic! The description on the L'occitane website states that the product is "ideal for use before, during and after pregnancy or periods of weight loss, for those seeking to fight stretch marks!" I relate to none of those cases, but I CAN tell you that this oil softens and leaves behind a warm and sensual almond-y scent.


Kevin Murphy Haircare

I can't rave enough about this salon professional brand of haircare.  The intoxicating scents alone are enough for me! This Australian line was created by Kevin Murphy to accommodate his needs as an editorial and runway stylist, and let me tell you this line will meet your needs too! Kevin Murphy uses natural ingredients in the products whenever possible- the result, Ah-Ma-Zing scents and rich formulas that are weightless and full of nutrients to nourish your hair.



Archipelago Pomegranate Hand Cream

This Troc favorite became one of my personal favorites after one use. From someone with severely dry and rough hands, this tube of decadence provides a great comfort to the skin. The  pomegranate scent is one that's refreshing and not sugary sweet. The formula is silky and won't leave behind a greasy residue either. Could it be the perfect hand cream? All I can say is, it's my favorite thus far.


What are your favorite beauty items that you can't live without?


*Photos courtesy of Google Images

TRADER JOE'S ARGENTINIAN RED SHRIMP with LINGUINE

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I'm so sorry if you don't have a Trader Joe's nearby.  Truly.  And I am hoping you can find this sweet lobster-like shrimp if you don't have a TJ's--it's worth the search.  My friend, Ashley, grabbed several bags when she spied these because apparently it is only available a few times a year. Lucky me--she gave me a bag.

I had lots of pasta so concocted a recipe using what I had in the pantry.  But grilled and served with vegetables would work well, too.



INGREDIENTS
Serves 4

Bag of Trader Joe's Argentinian Red Shrimp (frozen)
8 oz Linguine
4 cloves of garlic, minced or crushed
1/2 to 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
Olive oil (I used garlic infused olive oil)
Fresh parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS


Forgive me, I didn't measure much in this recipe, but I know you will turn all these ingredients into a lovely dish.

While pasta is boiling, drizzle olive oil in a skillet and add crushed garlic cloves and red pepper flakes.  Cook the garlic for a few minutes and then add the frozen shrimp sprinkling with salt and pepper.  Cook until shrimp is pink and curled (about the same amount of time it takes to cook the pasta).

Drain the pasta saving 1 cup of pasta water.  Add pasta water to the shrimp, stir, and then add the linguine.  Peel fresh parmesan strip over the shrimp and linguine. Serve with fresh parmesan.



Really, this is so yummy and easy.  Do make it!  From start to finish it took less than 30 minutes.

NO MARK UPON HER - DEBORAH CROMBIE

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Another murder mystery series that some folks think should be read in order.  I didn't and still loved it.  No Mark Upon Her is a Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James detective mystery written in current time.  Kincaid is a Scotland Yard Detective Superintendent and his wife (finally!) Gemma James is a Detective Inspector from the Notting Hill police station in London.  Love these two.

This time, they are called in to resolve the case of another senior police officer who is found dead in the waters of the Thames while  training as a rower for the Olympics.  Very good stuff.  This series is well-written, not grisly or too graphic, and there is nice thread of personal relations between Kincaid and James that I enjoy.

Thanks to Mary's Library I'm going to read more of the books in this series working backwards.

CAMBRIDGE BLUE - Alison Bruce

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My friend, Lisa, recommended so I had a sample sent to my Kindle, finished reading the sample and immediately pressed "buy this book".  The opening chapter grabbed me and pushed me onward.

Cambridge Blue, written by Alison Bruce, is the first in a series depicting the young Gary Goodhew as a detective constable in Cambridge, England.  Fast paced, good plot, although I did figure out the murderer (which always makes me feel super smart) I still enjoyed the book.  More explicit than I usually read so fair warning if you prefer more glossing over of the details, if you know what I mean.

Also, the Kindle version has lots of mistakes which I probably should report to Amazon.

ISTANBUL AND THE MOTHER COUNTRY

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Image source here

Have you been to Istanbul? Well, soon I will be checking that off my bucket list as I will be heading
there later this month with my darling friend, Leslie.  One full week in Istanbul--no touring outside the city, just completely absorbing the sights, sounds, and smells of that fascinating and ancient place.



Following Istanbul, we will be returning to the Mother Country to roam around the English countryside, attend a week-long class at Oxford, and then spend a few days in London.  I shall take loads of pics and report back all the happenings.

Here are a few things we've already booked:
 
A private guide for the day to tour Istanbul

Class at Cooking Alaturka

Tickets for a Whirling Dervishes ceremony

A day on the Bosphorus

Visiting the Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent

Chatsworth House (finally!)

Petersham Nurseries in Richmond, Surrey (thank you, Jeanne!)

Lunch at the Wolseley, London


                                                            Dinner at Rules, London


And, of course, a return to all the faves: Liberty, Fortnum and Mason, Mulberry, Abbott and Holder, etc. My, oh my, I cannot wait.